This is what a bear looks like in the wild from the roadside. This is through binoculars.

Contrast this with 8 hours of hiking

Cost, nothing

Leave after breakfast

Hike eight hours and return to your cabin ready to sleep

Both sides of a trail have a view

Get to know your kids instead of strangers

We clocked 28-1/2 hours of hiking with our teenagers, Gage and Cole, in five days of hiking at Yellowstone. We learned that we were more afraid of buffalo than seeing a bear, that my husband, Brad, has no idea how far 100 feet is. We learned that Gage is the best judge of 100 feet and Cole is the best photographer. A rented camera lens weighs 8 pounds, same as a gallon of water.

This is what wildlife looks like from the trail.

So, now that I think about it, my answer is the same. No, you do not need a tour in Yellowstone. Get out and hike, get to know what 3-and-1/4 miles feels like. Get to know your family.